Anzac Day
Anzac Day at Gallipoli
Silhouette of an Australian Soldier commemorating Anzac Day in France, 2006. Image courtesy of Department of Defence.
The largest gathering of Australians on Anzac Day, outside of Australia, continues to be at Gallipoli. Each year, Australia and New Zealand conduct three Anzac Day services at Gallipoli. The Dawn Service at the Anzac Commemorative Site is conducted jointly by both countries and is followed by an Australian Memorial Service at Lone Pine, and a New Zealand Memorial Service at Chunuk Bair.
Visitors have a very clear expectation of their involvement in services, which includes resting over night at the Anzac Commemorative Site, participating in the Dawn Service which commemorates the ANZAC landings, and then walking up Artillery Road in the morning to attend another service. These are highly valued elements of the Anzac Day experience and visitors will expect this to continue in 2015.
The Anzac Commemorative Site is located in the Gallipoli Historical National Park, which is approximately 5 hours drive from Istanbul. There is no public transport available to and from the Gallipoli Peninsula. For this reason, the majority of visitors travel to the annual Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli on an organised tour.
Information for those planning to attend the annual Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli is available on the Department of Veterans' Affairs Website.
International Services
The Australian Government also delivers or supports Anzac Day services at former battlefield sites or significant locations around the world including:
- Villers-Bretonneux, France
- Isurava, Papua New Guinea
- Bomana, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
- Hellfire Pass, Thailand
- Sandakan, Malaysia
- Long Tan, Vietnam
- London, United Kingdom
- Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium
Australian Embassies and High Commissions around the world conduct their own Anzac Day ceremonies. Details of those ceremonies are available through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade .
Australians are welcome to attend any of the Anzac Day services held throughout Australia or internationally, however, in some overseas locations visitors may be required to register prior to attending.